No one likes a hot kitchen. Especially in the middle of a heat wave. If you think you've got to sweat it out in order to bring something big to your next BBQ, think again. Costco salads are the perfect start to a great get-together meal. They are easily dressed up with fresh ingredients to become something new and impressive. The superstore's salads run the range from raw kale to cooked chicken and some even come with fixings, which you can toss or leave in depending on your culinary creativity in the moment.
The best part about salad hacks is that you don't have to be a kitchen pro to put them together. Summer parties and BBQs are the ideal events for coming up with cold dishes that use pantry ingredients and leftovers. And when there is no time — or desire — for cooking, a Costo salad hack is just what you need. Hacks are a great way to make something extra out of something simple. Think stuffed salad boats with prepared quinoa salad, pasta primavera salad using leftover macaroni salad and a slaw kit and strawberries tossed with kale.
More from CafeMom: How to Plan a Backyard Barbecue With Your Teen
Another big bonus? They are affordable. Coming up with a dish to feed a party can be expensive and time-consuming. These easy salads are budget friendly, and you can pull them together in a short time — but they still look and taste like they were recipe-tested for months.
Here are the 15 hacks you need to know to transform Costco's premade salad into a party-worthy pot luck.
Asian Chopped Shrimp Slaw
Cole slaw is a BBQ fan favorite. Lisa of What Lisa Cooks transforms a bag of Costco's Asian chopped salad into the ultimate side dish by adding cilantro and lime shrimp and rice wine vinegar.
Strawberry Chicken and Kale Salad
Nutrition in the Kitch's Christal explains that Costco's kale slaw salad is the perfect base for this salad that gets gussied up with plump red strawberries and grilled chicken. The kit comes complete with the dressing in case you are short on time, or try your hand at her homemade version.
Simple Chopped Salad
We love that Clean Mama doesn't even bother to use a knife to create this easy chopped salad. Just dump the bagged veggies in a bowl and have at it with kitchen shears. Customize by adding your favorite flavors like she does. Think green onion and red cabbage.
Costco Greek Pasta Salad
Just like hot pasta dishes, cold pasta salad is easy to dress up into an impressive meal. Food Love does just that by amping up the flavors of Greece with Kalamata olives, onions, and artichokes. Fresh greens adds some color and flavor.
More from CafeMom: 12 Fast & Fresh Salads for Warm Weather Evenings
Sweet Kale Salad
If you don't have time to run to Costco for a salad, make like Momtastic and DIY a version of their beloved kale salad with greens, brussels, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds.
Tailgating Taco Salad
Leftover BBQ fixings and bagged supermarket salad make for a brand-new meal that will impress at any party. Crayons and Craft Beer mommy blogger opts for chips instead of forks to serve this salad up, which makes it easy to eat and make.
Sweet Kale and Grilled Chicken Dinner Salad
Ester and Lauren at DIT-Elle are busy moms who don't always have time to meal plan. So, in a pinch, they put together a dinner salad that starts with Costco's sweet kale salad and ends with satisfied dinner guests.
Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Looking for the perfect makeover for your leftover rotisserie chicken? Kitchen Cheetahs have the answer. Start with a rotisserie chicken and end with a salad better than expected. Customize with seasonal produce like avocado, grapes, apples, and more.
Croissant Chicken Sandwich Salads
Costco's ready-to-eat rotisserie chicken salad is the perfect stuffing for BBQ-friendly salad sandwiches. Mama's Girls uses croissants instead of bread and fresh additions like grapes, celery, and protein-rich almonds.
BLT Wraps
Anyone can bring a salad to a BBQ or a tray of crudités for that matter. But when you show up with appetizers like The Spruce's homemade BLT wraps, you become the belle of the ball. Bagged salad is the perfect green for this easy-to-make roll-up that can be eaten cold or hot and dipped in whatever leftover dressing you have.
More from CafeMom: Moms Swear This 'Maternity Salad' Will Get That Overdue Baby the Heck Outta You
Ramen Noodle Broccoli Slaw
Impress everyone with with this Asian-inspired salad created by Pechluck's Food Adventures. Cold ramen noodles and broccoli slaw — two superstore ingredients that make this an affordable and easy dish to serve to a crowd.
Quinoa Salad Boat
Costco's quinoa salad is stuffed into bagged romaine lettuce for salad boats that are handheld and delicious.
Mercy Me Asian Salad
Melissa Trinidad's bagged Asian cashew chopped salad and grilled tofu come together to create a meatless meal that works as both a side dish and main course.
Cold Chicken Macaroni Salad
I Heart Recipes has a way of making leftovers look good. Leftover bulk macaroni salad and rotisserie chicken make this pasta and protein dish perfect for your next backyard BBQ.
Broccoli Slaw Salad Mix
Slim Sanity put her own spin on Costco's ready-made broccoli slaw salad by adding spinach, cranberries, and a homemade orange vinaigrette. Add an extra healthy punch and crunch with a sprinkle of chia and pumpkin seeds.
Chicken Tortellini with Kale
Eat at Home's 15-minute salad that can be eaten warmed for dinner or cold for a potluck BBQ. Costco's bagged kale, rotisserie chicken salad and frozen tortellini are the stars here, in an easy-to-make dish that will be your get-together go-to.
